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Utopaya Relaunches as Straata, an AI-Native Service That Puts Payments Revenue Growth on Autopilot

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Straata owns the economics of payments for software platforms, ISOs, banks, and processors, growing revenue across contracts, pricing, interchange, recovery, and new products

CHARLOTTE, N.C., Aug. 4, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Utopaya, the embedded-payments advisory firm, today relaunched as Straata, an AI-native service that owns payments revenue growth for software platforms, ISOs and agents, banks, and processors.

Payments is one of the largest revenue lines these companies operate and one of the least instrumented. A software platform tracks MRR, churn, and retention in real time, then runs its highest-margin line on a spreadsheet and a prayer. An ISO, agent, or bank books residual income it has no practical way to verify. Straata’s benchmarks put 30 to 50 percent of payments revenue out of reach, and roughly one in two processor residual statements the firm audits contains an error.

For most companies the options used to be hiring an FTE, engaging a consultant, or buying a payments intelligence dashboard. A senior payments hire costs $400,000 to $600,000 loaded, takes six to twelve months to land, and still needs tooling or a team behind them. A consultant’s deck decays on arrival. A dashboard shows you the gap and leaves you to close it.

“Advice alone leaves you to execute it, and software alone leaves you to run it,” said Brian Abernethy, Founder and CEO of Straata. “We do both, and we own the result. A small team of senior operators can now run a payments program for a fraction of a single hire.”

Straata is built on nearly five years of Utopaya’s work, concentrated in vertical software, spanning more than 100 engagements across 20+ processors with more than $100 billion in annual payment volume analyzed. The past year went into the AI-native platform that runs it, so the benchmarks, reconciliation method, and negotiation playbooks live in the technology rather than one person’s experience. Straata extends the same program to ISOs and agents, banks, and processors, which run on the same mechanics.

The advisory work that built the firm continues. Contract negotiation, RFP and vendor selection, buy and sell-side diligence, and business case formation remain core, now with the platform behind them and managed-service packages available to own the execution once the recommendation lands.

Straata pairs senior payments operators with proprietary technology across five levers: commercial terms, commission verification, interchange optimization, merchant pricing, and product gaps. The Payments Diagnostic turns four data files into a graded Report Card in days once the files arrive. Clients run the roadmap themselves, or engage Straata to execute it for them.

The platform lets a small team deliver what previously took ten. Diagnostics and residual verification run across every client at once rather than one engagement at a time, contract scenarios get modeled the same way, and the data and integration barriers that stall payments teams get solved once instead of repeatedly. It also lets Straata blend product changes directly into the outcomes it is accountable for, rather than handing a client a recommendation and hoping.

“The platform matters because of what it frees us to do,” said Abernethy. “We can own outcomes no advisory firm could own before, and we get judged on the result. Every company is trying to apply AI to its own business, and most homegrown attempts stall before they change anything at scale. We spent a year building this one.”

Straata takes no referral fees or revenue share from the vendors it evaluates and is compensated only by its clients.

Straata is live today at straata.io.

About Straata

Straata is the AI-native payments service for software platforms, ISOs and agents, banks, and processors. It combines senior payments operators with proprietary technology to find and capture the revenue in a client’s payment stack. Services span the Payments Diagnostic, contract negotiation, vendor selection, managed vendor migration, RFP response, buy and sell-side diligence, GTM strategy, business case formation, sponsor bank architecture, and Fractional GM of Payments. Learn more at straata.io.

Media contact: Brian Abernethy, 419864@email4pr.com, 7046547613

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MetaOptics Secures up to US$10 Million Investment Facility from White Lion Capital, Its First U.S. Institutional Investor, to Onshore Metalens Technology into the U.S.

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SINGAPORE, Sept. 20, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — MetaOptics Ltd (Catalist: 9MT) (“MetaOptics” or the “Company”, and together with its subsidiaries, the “Group”), a leading-edge semiconductor optics company pioneering metalens technology, today announced that it has secured an investment facility of up to US$10 million from White Lion Capital LLC (“White Lion”), pursuant to a warrant deed entered into with White Lion, under which the Company may, upon exercise of the warrants by the holder at its discretion, raise up to US$10 million through the issuance of up to 40,000,000 new ordinary shares of the Company. White Lion, based in Los Angeles, California, is the first institutional investor in the United States (“U.S.”) to participate in and invest in MetaOptics’ growth story, a strong validation of MetaOptics’ technology, solutions and commercialisation roadmap.

The investment comes one year after MetaOptics’ listing on the Catalist board of the Singapore Exchange. It follows a period of strong commercial momentum, with design and evaluation requests from world-class customers and sampling units shipped. White Lion’s participation extends the Company’s investor base beyond Asia into the U.S., its largest end market.

The proceeds of up to US$10 million, upon exercise of the warrants, will accelerate MetaOptics’ expansion in the U.S.. White Lion’s investment will not just support ongoing projects with U.S. customers across consumer devices, co-packaged optics (“CPO”) and optical interconnects, but more importantly, fund the establishment of the Group’s maiden front-end semiconductor fabrication line with 12-inch DUV immersion photolithography equipment in the U.S., for the mass production of metalenses and module. The establishment of the Group’s maiden front-end semiconductor fabrication line will not only onshore key metalens design, manufacturing and testing into the U.S., bringing such capabilities closer to U.S. customers, but also provide a shorter and clearer roadmap to securing purchase orders for the mass production of metalenses and modules.

The U.S. is a key market for metalens adoption, driven by consumer electronics, AR/VR wearables, automotive sensing and the multi-billion dollar CPO industry serving AI data centres. MetaOptics is currently working with several U.S. foundries to integrate its metalenses into their CPO designs. The smallest CPO metalens designed by MetaOptics measures 0.1 mm. The design can be scaled to a 12-inch semiconductor photolithography process on glass substrates, which is key to mass production.

“Securing our first U.S. institutional investor is an important step for MetaOptics,” said Mr Thng Chong Kim, Executive Chairman of MetaOptics. “Many of our most important customers are in the U.S., from consumer device brands to the companies building CPO and optical interconnects for AI data centres. This funding allows us to move faster on their projects and to onshore key metalens technology into the U.S..”

“MetaOptics is one of the few companies in the world that can design, mass-produce and test glass-based metalenses at scale,” said Gabriel Gumbiner, Senior Associate of White Lion. “We are particularly pleased that our first investment in an SGX-listed company is with an organization of MetaOptics’ caliber. The company has a strong management team with a clear vision for its growth, and we are proud to support MetaOptics as it expands its presence in the U.S. market.”

This press release is to be read in conjunction with MetaOptics’ announcement on White Lion’s investment facility of up to US$10 million, pursuant to a warrant deed entered into with White Lion, released via SGXNet on 21 September 2026. The Company will make further announcement(s) as and when appropriate.

About MetaOptics Ltd
MetaOptics Ltd (Catalist: 9MT) is a vertically integrated designer and manufacturer of metalens-based optical components and products, headquartered in Singapore. Founded in 2021, the Company uses semiconductor processes to pioneer glass-based colour metalenses and produce them at scale on both 4-inch and 12-inch platforms. Its portfolio spans metalenses, metalens camera modules, metalens manufacturing equipment and metalens IoT products, which customers integrate into applications including smartphones, contactless 3D biometrics, AR/VR devices, pico projectors, LiDAR and automotive sensing. MetaOptics aims to deliver high-performance optics with the reliability and scalability demanded by today’s most innovative technology brands. Find out more at www.metaoptics.sg.

About White Lion Capital
White Lion Capital LLC is a US-based private investment firm headquartered in Los Angeles, California. The firm provides growth capital to public companies seeking to become leaders in emerging technology sectors.

Forward-Looking Statements
This press release may contain forward-looking statements that involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, many of which are beyond the Company’s control. A number of factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement, including but not limited to the Company’s growth strategies, its future business development, results of operations and financial condition, its research and development efforts, its ability to attract and retain customers, and its ability to establish and maintain relationships with suppliers and business partners; and assumptions underlying or related to any of the foregoing. All information provided in this press release is as of the date of this press release, and the Company undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statement, except as required under applicable law.

Singapore (Headquarters)
MetaOptics Technologies Pte Ltd, 81 Ayer Rajah Crescent, #01-45, Singapore 139967
United States
MetaOptics Inc. (USA), 1 Ferry Building, Suite 201, San Francisco, CA 94111

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FUJIFILM Business Innovation Singapore recognised for circular economy and waste management practices

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Company recovered more than 500,000 kg of used products annually from the Singapore market over the past two years

SINGAPORE, Sept. 21, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — FUJIFILM Business Innovation Singapore has received the Circular Economy Award – Singapore and Waste Management Award – Singapore at the ESGBusiness Awards 2026. Recognising organisations across Asia for their commitment and achievements in environmental, social and governance practices, the awards acknowledge the company’s efforts in product recovery, parts reuse, remanufacturing and material recycling.

Central to these efforts is an integrated approach spanning the full product lifecycle, from designing devices for easier repair and disassembly to collecting used equipment and recovering serviceable parts and materials. Selected products are also remanufactured in Japan to meet the required quality standards before returning to market. Together, these initiatives are intended to keep products and materials in use for longer and reduce the amount of waste sent for recycling or disposal. This product stewardship approach is also applied across the Asia-Pacific markets where FUJIFILM Business Innovation has direct operations.

Giving devices and materials a second life

Putting this lifecycle approach into practice starts at the design stage. Fujifilm’s multifunction devices feature compact, lightweight designs intended to reduce material use and transportation requirements across the value chain. They are also designed for disassembly to facilitate repair, parts recovery and material recycling.

At the end of commercial use, collected products are assessed for possible reuse before recycling. Over the past two years, FUJIFILM Business Innovation Singapore has consistently recovered more than 500,000 kg of used products annually from the Singapore market. Devices that are unsuitable for refurbishment are disassembled so that serviceable components can be recovered, repaired and reused where appropriate. Between 2024 and 2025, about 110,000 kg of parts were collected for reuse, extending the use of recovered resources and reducing the need for newly sourced materials.

Remaining equipment and toner cartridges are processed by licensed local e-waste recyclers. Through its recycling partner, more than 90 per cent of the material by weight is sorted for material recycling. This work builds on the company’s long-standing take-back programme, which was introduced before extended producer responsibility for electronic waste came into effect under the Resource Sustainability Act 2019.

Advancing circularity through remanufacturing

Beyond parts recovery and recycling, remanufacturing provides another pathway for extending product life. Selected used multifunction devices collected across the Asia-Pacific region undergo remanufacturing in Fujifilm’s factory in Japan. Each remanufactured unit undergoes quality assurance processes equivalent to those applied to newly manufactured products before returning to market. Lifecycle assessments of the relevant models indicate lower CO2 emissions than comparable newly manufactured devices. Applicable models are also certified under the Singapore Green Labelling Scheme.

Supporting customers’ environmental commitments

Alongside these product lifecycle initiatives, Fujifilm’s Managed Print Services offering helps customers better understand print usage across their workplaces. These insights can support more efficient use of paper, toner and energy, helping organisations identify opportunities to reduce resource consumption and waste. The delivery of these initiatives is supported by a certified environmental management system and a Certificate of Environmental Commitment from the Singapore Environment Council.

Tee Hsien Wee, Chief Executive Officer of FUJIFILM Business Innovation Singapore, said: “For local businesses, circularity is becoming an increasingly relevant consideration in how resources and technology are managed. These awards recognise the steps we have taken to apply circular principles across our operations. We will continue to review and strengthen these practices, while working with customers and partners to support more responsible resource use in Singapore.”

– Ends –

About FUJIFILM Business Innovation Singapore

As a pioneer in document solutions for over 60 years, FUJIFILM Business Innovation Singapore has a deep understanding of how businesses operate. Its mission is to empower organisations to work efficiently and effectively in the digital age. As a one-stop provider, it offers a comprehensive suite of digital transformation solutions and services, along with multifunction and production printers, partnering with customers to manage data, automate workflows, leverage data intelligence, and build exceptional customer experiences. The Group’s purpose, “Giving our world more smiles,” underscores its commitment to bringing together diverse ideas, unique capabilities, and extraordinary people to create a positive impact on society. For more information, visit https://www.fujifilm.com/fbsg/en.

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SOURCE FUJIFILM Business Innovation Singapore

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NYP launches Lumina to help students Go Beyond what they thought possible

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New talent development programme combines governance, public policy, futures thinking, ethics through theatre, mentorship and global learning to develop future leaders for a complex world  

SINGAPORE, Sept. 21, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — What does public policy have to do with engineering? Why should a designer understand how leadership decisions affect communities? These are among the questions behind Lumina, Nanyang Polytechnic’s (NYP) new flagship talent development programme. At its heart is a simple belief: every student possesses untapped potential. With the right environment, opportunities and support, young people can develop strengths and capabilities they may never have realised they had, and go beyond their pre-conceived boundaries.

Mr Russell Chan, Principal & Chief Executive Officer of NYP, shares the rationale behind the launch of Lumina: “Lumina is designed to help students grow beyond what they thought possible. Leadership is not developed in isolation. It is developed through experience, through service, and through engaging with real people and real communities. Whether through immersive experiences or overseas learning journeys, students will look at issues from different perspectives, think critically about the challenges facing society, and develop the confidence to navigate an increasingly complex world.”

Lumina joins a slew of offerings that undergird the poly’s institution-wide approach to support a young person’s growth: Beyond academic learning, a student can take advantage of workshops and experiential learning opportunities to develop life and leadership skills through programmes under the Student Life Academy. Students seeking a more personalised learning pathway can tap on customised study programmes and mentorship tailored to their aspirations and circumstances, giving them greater flexibility to progress at a pace that best supports their goals.

Earlier this year, NYP also introduced Go Beyond, which allows students the opportunity to customise how they want to complete their diplomas – whether through the university pathway taking university modules or preparation courses, gaining international exposure through overseas study and internships, or a professional pathway to deepen expertise through industry-focused experiences.

While developing professional and technical expertise remains a core focus of polytechnic education, Lumina aims to nurture students who are thoughtful, responsible and capable of leading positive change, and challenge them to stretch themselves in ways they may not have imagined and discover how much further they can grow.

Students will progress to experiences that broadens their perspective beyond their disciplines, exploring areas like service design, and go for university-level short courses in public policy, government and future-thinking. The key milestone of the programme will challenge students to examine ethical dilemmas through a forum theatre format – encouraging different viewpoints, question assumptions and consider key leadership decisions using the arts.

The programme also pairs them up with mentors from the private and public sectors. A few will also get to experience two trips – one to a developed economy and one to a developing and fast burgeoning Asian city with dynamic growth possibilities.

Lumina was launched on 19 Sep at the NYP X Kampong Glam Community Day, where about 200 students – working with the Alliance for Sustainability Innovation, Central Singapore Community Development Council and grassroots partners – supported Project Rejuven-Aid to improve living environments for the elderly and less privileged, while engaging directly with people and communities.

The launch setting reflects an important part of Lumina’s design. Students will not study leadership, governance or societal issues only in the abstract. Community projects are built into the programme so that they can encounter different realities, work with others and apply what they learn to needs beyond themselves.

As Singapore navigates increasingly complex economic, social and environmental challenges, Lumina reflects NYP’s aspiration to develop graduates who are not only ready for the future of work, but also ready to contribute to the future of society.

About Nanyang Polytechnic

Established as an institution of higher learning in 1992, Nanyang Polytechnic’s (NYP) academic schools offer quality education and training through 39 full-time diploma courses and common entry programmes. NYP also has a full suite of Continuing Education and Training (CET) options for lifelong learning, ranging from specialist and advanced diplomas to SkillsFuture-supported modules and courses. NYP’s Asian Culinary Institute Singapore and the Singapore Institute of Retail Studies are CET institutes set up in partnership with SkillsFuture Singapore (SSG) to champion and transform Singapore’s F&B and retail sectors, respectively. A third NYP CET institute – the National Centre of Excellence for Workplace Learning – also set up in collaboration with SSG, will spearhead the development of progressive workplace learning strategies and programmes for companies here.

For more information, please visit www.nyp.edu.sg.

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SOURCE Nanyang Polytechnic

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